C. "BIGGIE" SMALLS

What is spirituality, and why is it important for people to have it in their lives? Why is it important in my life?

According to Mitroff & Denton (1999), spirituality is “the basic feeling of being connected with one’s external perception.” As I continued my research, I discovered that spirituality has many definitions and varying interpretations. However, what resonated with me most is the idea that spirituality is the desire to find a deeper meaning or understanding of one’s life. That perspective will guide my response to today’s prompt.

For as long as I can remember, my spirituality has been tied to my religious upbringing. Growing up in the South, specifically South Carolina, there was no option when it came to attending church on Sundays. And it wasn’t limited to just Sunday services; Bible study was part of the routine, too.

You see, my understanding of spirituality was deeply rooted in how I was brought up in the Church. I was taught that your spirit was a gift from your Heavenly Father, and that connection was foundational. And hey, I’m not here to debate where it comes from but as I got older and began asking more questions, I realized (at least in my view) that spirituality and religion are not always the same.

Still with me? Okay. Here’s where I condense over 18 years of spiritual lessons, hard-earned experiences, failures, and growth into one reflection:

How important is spirituality in my life?

Over 18 years and eight months, seven military bases, four deployments, and countless interactions with people of different backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, races, and moral alignments, my beliefs began to evolve. No one was there constantly telling me what to believe or asking why I didn’t go to church. So, I stopped believing in my Heavenly Father. I stopped seeking deeper meaning.

And man, did I live life to the fullest, doing just enough to stay out of trouble and not really caring who I hurt, so long as I stayed within the confines of the law.

Then, one incident changed everything.

I didn’t do anything outrageous, but in the aftermath, I found myself wondering: How are others interpreting or judging my spiritual identity? Who am I? Y’all, I was at the loneliest point in my life.

In that moment, I called on my Heavenly Father for help, and He showed up.

Spirituality, as Fry et al. (2011) describe it, involves qualities of the human spirit such as love, compassion, patience, and forgiveness. Huang et al. (2024) add that spirituality is also tied to strong ethics and personal character. These insights became my North Star during my path to self-renewal, along with many conversations with God.

So, how important is spirituality in my life?

It’s everything. It’s the leading light that guides me. When you’re truly connected to your external perception, something beautiful happens: you begin to focus on your beliefs, your values, your character, and how you interpret the world around you.

My spirituality is the shield I carry every day. And when life beats me down, I lean into those “human spirit qualities;”love, compassion, patience, and forgiveness to fill in the cracks, heal the wounds, and keep moving forward.

Reference: Huang, W., Chen, S., Hussain, T., & Rabeeu, A. (2024). How spirituality affects individuals’ attitudes towards corporate social responsibility: a moderated mediation model. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 673. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03205-z